How does the portrayal of masculinity in media intersect with issues of race and class to influence societal gender roles?

The portrayal of masculinity in media often reflects and shapes how society views gender roles, especially when combined with race and class. For instance, media frequently shows white men as strong leaders and successful figures, while men of color may be portrayed in more stereotypical or negative roles. This can create a narrow view of what it means to be a man, suggesting that success is tied to race and wealth. When young people see these images, they may feel pressure to conform to these limited definitions of masculinity, which can lead to harmful behaviors or beliefs. A concrete example is how action movies often depict wealthy, white male heroes, which can influence young boys from different backgrounds to feel inadequate if they don’t fit that mold.